The Oregon Clinic Hosts Benson Polytechnic High School Medical Assistant Students
One of the most enjoyable partnerships The Oregon Clinic has with the local community is with Benson Polytechnic High School. Benson’s Medical Professions program explores a variety of outpatient healthcare careers. Students in the Medical Assistant (MA) Certification program gain fundamental medical skills and earn their MA Certificate. During their final year in the MA program, students are given opportunities to interact with clinics in our community to observe patient care and clinic administration.
As a clinical partner of the program, The Oregon Clinic specialty groups have several options for engaging with the students. These include sharing virtual or in person educational sessions, hosting on-site shadow days, and providing longer externships.
During the 24/25 school year, nine seniors in the MA Certification Program spent a day shadowing team members at The Oregon Clinic Orthopedic Specialists. This experience was positive and fun for the students and clinic team members. One of the favorite activities for students was having a limb placed in a cast so that they could experience both the technical process and the patient’s point of view. Also this year, Ear, Nose & Throat East hosted two student shadows, and our first externship was completed at Dermatology.
“The students enjoyed shadowing the providers and I enjoyed having the students,” said Rachel Sorte, a CMA with Orthopedic Specialists. “They showed a lot of interest in becoming an MA, asked me a lot of questions about my duties, and wanted to jump in and help with chart checking, stocking and cleaning exam rooms.”
The Oregon Clinic has worked with Benson since the early days of the Medical Profession’s course. In 2022, Gastroenterology East kicked off our partnership by hosting three student shadows. That same year, Dr. Domi Le of Gastroenterology East and Veronica Roberts, Director of Operations for Plastic Surgery and Dermatology spoke with students about healthcare as a career.
“It’s been great to grow with Benson as a partner in this program, and it’s mutually beneficial,” shared Morgan Lindsay, Onboarding Specialist and Benson student coordinator. Kristin Cole, HR Director added, “Benson wants to provide solid training options for students, and we need good MAs in our community. The shadow days and externships give young people a true working world experience, and our team members love leaving a positive impression on future healthcare professionals.”
On April 17, during Benson’s all-school open house, students from the Medical Professionals cohort welcomed visitors into their on-site clinic, checked them in, took vitals, and even simulated a blood draw. Tom Sanchez, CEO; Dr. Richard Jamison, President; Orthopedic Specialists hosts, Christa Buchanan, Vicky Aceves, Andrea Laurs, and Rachel Sorte; and members of the HR team were on hand to be ‘patients’ for the students.
Meridith McClanin, Director of the Health Sciences Department at Benson said, “Our connection with The Oregon Clinic has been very valuable to our students over the years. Having team members and administrators at our open house gave the students a chance to show how much they have learned, in part by attending Oregon Clinic sites. The production was all theirs and I am so proud of them!”
Our team was impressed with the skills and care provided by the MA students during their checkups, and thrilled to hear that nine out of 11 seniors in this cohort passed their credentialed MA certification test in May 2025.
“I feel proud and happy for all of our accomplishments. We are very fortunate to have these experiences and opportunities that set us apart and set up for success,” shared Maria S., a Benson student.
As we look to the future, The Oregon Clinic is committed to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals in our community today to ensure exceptional patient care for tomorrow. Partnerships like the one we enjoy with Benson bridges education and professional practice, creating more pathways for students to discover their passion for healthcare while addressing the critical need for skilled medical professionals in our community.
Left to Right: Team members getting checkups from Benson High School MA Students – Rachel Sorte, MA with The Oregon Clinic Orthopedic Specialists; Tom Sanchez, The Oregon Clinic CEO; Vicky Aceves, MA with The Oregon Clinic Orthopedic Specialists; Andrea Laurs, MA with The Oregon Clinic Orthopedic Specialists; Kristin Cole, The Oregon Clinic HR Director and Dr. Richard Jamison, The Oregon Clinic President.